For pharmacists with the will, time and support to get involved in clinical research, the benefits are many – not only for them, but also for their patients, teams and hospitals. Saša Janković shares an overview of the importance of pharmacists’ involvement in research, what ever form that takes, with top tips for getting started.
With a workforce under pressure, getting involved in clinical trials and pilot research projects might be the last thing on hospital pharmacists’ minds. However, as their roles continue to become more clinically focused, there are huge benefits associated with their involvement in research not only for pharmacists’ own experience and practice but for their patients and colleagues, too.
In view of this, a new Incubator for Pharmacy Professionals is aiming to encourage more pharmacy professionals into research by building capacity and developing research careers within the profession.
A collaboration between nine UK universities, the charity Pharmacy Research UK and representatives from various pharmacy groups, the project is supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
According to Professor Debi Bhattacharya, professor of behavioural medicines at the University of Leicester’s School of Allied Health Professions, who is leading the Incubator project, only 2.7% of NIHR Doctoral Fellowship applications between 2014 and 2021 came from pharmacy professionals. This highlights ‘the need for greater awareness, encouragement and support for pharmacy professionals to pursue research careers and contribute to healthcare innovation’, she says.
A 2024 report based on a UK survey of pharmacy professionals’ involvement in research, led and written by Natasha Callender, head of medicines optimisation – safety, quality and governance at North East London Integrated Care Board, found that protected time and support, both at the individual and organisational levels, are the most significant enablers for promoting the pharmacy workforce involvement in research and fostering clinical academic pharmacy careers.
However, the latest Royal Pharmaceutical Society workforce wellbeing survey found that only 44% of respondents working in hospital pharmacy said they were offered sufficient protected learning time, and just 2% of those focused solely on research development during that time. This suggests more support is needed to ensure pharmacists can participate in, and benefit from, research.
Pharmacists’ critical insights
Dr Ryan Forrey, president of the FIP Hospital Pharmacy Section, says involving pharmacists in research is ‘critical’ because they are trained to think differently from other healthcare professionals and team members.
‘Basic research scientists know research medicine better than anyone on the team but typically don’t know how healthcare provision occurs. Physicians know the patient and the disease state better than anyone on the team, but typically don’t know the details of the medicine, its physical and chemical properties, and handling,’ explains Dr Forrey.
‘Pharmacists bridge this gap in translational research settings to ensure the science and the patient needs are appropriately met. So, identifying these risks and working to develop alternative, safer approaches is one area in research design and execution where I think hospital pharmacists are particularly well suited.’
Research in hospitals lends itself to collaboration. Professor Diane Ashiru-Oredope, deputy chief scientist at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, lead pharmacist for healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance at the UK Health Security Agency, and honorary chair and professor of pharmaceutical public health at the University of Nottingham, says this often involves multidisciplinary teams of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals.
‘This fosters stronger interprofessional relationships and enhances the role of pharmacy within the wider healthcare system,’ she says. ‘Collaborative research efforts not only improve patient care but also help position pharmacy departments as key contributors to clinical innovation and service development.’
Impacts on practice and patient care
Since patient care and safety are ‘complex concepts that cannot be viewed through one disciplinary lens’, Professor Hamde Nazar, professor of pharmacy education and primary care research at Newcastle University’s School of Pharmacy, says this creates another vital role for pharmacists in research.
‘Pharmacists provide their own unique perspective on how care can be optimised for effectiveness and safety. So, having more pharmacists involved in research means that there is more capacity and a more panoramic approach within the system to explore important concepts relating to practice and patient care,’ she says.
More specifically, Professor Nazar says pharmacists’ involvement has ‘led to reductions in medication errors, increased detection of adverse drug reactions, and enhanced personalised treatments through pharmacogenomics’.
Indeed, pharmacists are playing a growing role in the field of personalised medicine and pharmacogenomics, which is only increasing in importance when it comes to optimising patient outcomes. ‘By leveraging genetic insights, [pharmacists] can help tailor medication regimens to individual patients, leading to more precise treatments, fewer adverse drug reactions and improved therapeutic outcomes,’ says Natasha. ‘Their involvement in this emerging field is paving the way for more individualised approaches to patient care, particularly in areas such as oncology, cardiology and mental health.’
Professor Nazar adds that ‘when it comes to research into chronic disease management, pharmacist-led studies have been shown to improve medication adherence and reduce hospital readmissions, while public health research involving pharmacists has demonstrated increased vaccination rates and contribution to antimicrobial stewardship’.
System-wide benefits of pharmacist research
There are even wider-reaching benefits for pharmacists, their departments, hospitals and patients when pharmacists get involved research.
Oluwatobi Oni trained as a pharmacist and is now a senior health scientist at Actryx Ltd where his research is focused on dementia and other chronic illnesses. ‘For hospital pharmacists, integrating research into practice can reduce the length of patient hospitalisation as effective care strategies ensure patients recover and return to society faster,’ he says, highlighting the positive economic impact.
‘Additionally, for pharmacists and their departments, engaging in research fosters professional development, strengthens collaboration within multidisciplinary teams and creates opportunities to contribute meaningfully to healthcare advancements,’ Oluwatobi adds.
This view is echoed by Neil Powell, a consultant antimicrobial pharmacist and associate director of antimicrobial stewardship at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust. Neil has been funded by NIHR to investigate the best way to treat patients incorrectly labelled as allergic to penicillin, and how to integrate this decision-making process into routine clinical practice.
‘Having a research-active pharmacist in the pharmacy department certainly raises the department’s profile but, more importantly, improves patient care,’ he says. ‘Often hospital-based research is about trying to identify ways to improve care or make care safer, so doing that sort of research in the hospital means other healthcare workers will be sighted on it, and it will influence behaviours in a positive way.’
This is something Neil has first-hand experience in, and he has seen positive change as a result. ‘Through my research projects – including my current Removing Erroneous Penicillin Allergy Labels (REPeAL) study – I have engaged widely with healthcare workers in my hospital, and I believe their behaviours have changed with regard antibiotic prescribing,’ he explains.
Improving safety and efficiencies
Professor Ashiru-Oredope, highlights evidence that ‘research-active hospitals within the NHS have been shown to have lower mortality rates and improved patient experiences’.
Much of this comes down to safety. ‘Pharmacists’ contributions to research help ensure that medications are used safely and effectively, leading to better clinical outcomes and enhanced patient trust in their treatment,’ she explains. ‘Additionally, involvement in research allows pharmacy teams to evaluate and implement new models of care, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery.’
Beyond direct patient benefits, Professor Ashiru-Oredope, says engaging in research has a positive impact on workforce satisfaction and retention.
‘Pharmacists and other healthcare professionals who participate in research report higher job satisfaction, greater intellectual stimulation, and stronger career progression opportunities,’ she explains. ‘And for NHS employers, fostering a research-active culture can aid in recruitment and retention, helping to attract and retain skilled professionals in an increasingly competitive healthcare landscape.’
Then there is the practical benefit of ‘enhanced professional development by refining critical appraisal, problem-solving and scientific writing skills’, Professor Ashiru-Oredope adds. ‘But, ultimately, pharmacists’ involvement in research extends beyond individual projects – it strengthens professional practice, enhances healthcare delivery and contributes to a more innovative, evidence-based, and patient-centred profession,’ she concludes.
Tips for getting started in research
Consider Professor Diane Ashiru-Oredope’s top tips for pharmacists wanting to get started in research:
- Start small: begin with manageable research projects, ensuring that you embed research methods, such as quality improvement initiatives, service evaluations or audits, before progressing to larger-scale studies
- Join existing research teams: assisting in ongoing studies with other healthcare professionals provides valuable hands-on experience
- Engage with research networks: participating in journal clubs, attending conferences and networking with fellow researchers can open doors to collaborative opportunities
- Utilise professional support: for example, the RPS Science and Research Committee provides continued support services for pharmacists at all career stages, including guidance on funding applications and interview preparation. The RPS Research and Evaluation Guides for members and RPS-NIHR research e-Learning modules for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are also useful starting points.
